Tidewater will upgrade the 2013-built, diesel-electric platform supply vessel (PSV) to hybrid-battery-power under a contract with Norwegian Electric Systems (NES)
Under the contract, NES will deliver a battery package and associated control system for shore power charging for retrofit on DP class-2 PSV North Pomor. Built in Simek, Norway, the ST216 design PSV has an overall length of 92 m, beam of 19 m, depth of around 8 m, draught of 7 m and deck area of 1,053 m2.
TidewaterRederi, part ofTidewater’s Norwegian operation, placed the contract to upgradeNorth Pomor, which sails under the Norwegian flag.
Once upgraded, North Pomor will become part of a growing global fleet of offshore support vessels (OSVs) fitted with batteries. Batteries have been fitted in 74 OSVs in operation and another four under construction, according to DNV Alternative Fuels Insight platform. This does not include 15 other offshore vessels fitted with batteries in operation and 10 others under construction.
NES facilities in Bergen and Ålesund will design, assemble and test the battery package and control system for the retrofit, with delivery Q3 2023.
“Authorities and societies all over the world expect the offshore industry to reduce its carbon footprint,” said NES sales manager Egil Bremnes. “Retrofitting a battery package on board a vessel is a quick way to cut emissions. Moreover, installing a battery package reduces fuel costs and operating expenditure, while also enhancing system reliability on board. This also explains why we are experiencing increased interest in battery retrofits on board offshore support vessels,” added Mr Bremnes.
Big Board-listed Tidewater owns and operates one of the largest fleets of OSVs in the industry, while NES is a subsidiary of HAV Group ASA, which is listed on Euronext Growth Oslo.
